Sadhguru's Save Soil Movement, in collaboration with SRM Institute of Science and Technology, hosted the Agri Start-Up Festival 2.0, a mega training seminar, on August 17 at the SRM University campus in Kattankulathur, Chennai. The event drew over 5,000 participants, including farmers, homemakers, and youth aspiring to build promising careers in agriculture-based businesses.
The day-long festival aimed at empowering participants with entrepreneurial skills to make agriculture both profitable and sustainable. It offered a unique platform to learn directly from experienced practitioners and explore pathways for building resilient agri-businesses. The event was also live-streamed, enabling hundreds more to engage virtually.
The program began with a welcome address by Swami Srimukha, Coordinator of the Save Soil Movement. Distinguished dignitaries in attendance included Narendra Kumar, Executive Vice President of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company, and Selvam Neeravi, Joint Director of the Central Agricultural Extension Office, who commended the initiative and its focus on skill-building.
Addressing the gathering, Professor C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor of SRM University, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to nurturing aspiring agri-entrepreneurs. He said, “Under the guidance of our founder, Dr. Paarivendhar, we run an Agricultural Science College in Achirapakkam. For those seeking to start agri-based businesses, we provide space and financial assistance. They can work with us for two and a half years, during which SRM University will extend all necessary support.”
Among the keynote speakers was Hari Krishnan, General Manager of NABARD, who outlined the organization’s financial support for agri-enterprises. He highlighted initiatives such as the Madurai Agri-Business Incubation Forum (MABIF), which supports rural small-scale entrepreneurs and women in South Tamil Nadu by helping transform innovative ideas into businesses.
He added that NABKISSAN offers loans to emerging start-ups, while Agri Sure provides large-scale funding for fully established companies. He also confirmed NABARD’s collaboration with Isha’s Save Soil Movement to strengthen agri-business ecosystems across the region.
